Gators corral Gophers, get chance at another Sweet 16

Florida Gators guard Mike Rosario signals to a teammate after making a three point shot against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the third round of the NCAA tournament at the Frank Erwin Center on Sunday in Austin, Texas.

Matt Stamey/Staff photographer

By Kevin BrockwayStaff writer

Published: Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 8:48 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 8:48 p.m.

AUSTIN, Texas — Another season. Another Sweet 16 for the Florida Gators.

Behind a season-high 25 points from senior guard Mike Rosario, third-seeded Florida knocked off 11th-seed Minnesota 78-64 Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season.

It's the first time in school history Florida (28-7) has reached the round of 16 three straight years. Florida next plays Friday in Arlington, Texas, against Florida Gulf Coast who defeated San Diego State 81-71. The Eagles became the first No. 15 seed in NCAA history to reach the regional semifinals

Erik Murphy added 15 points and Scottie Wilbekin had 12 points and six assists. Florida let a 21-point halftime lead whittle down to seven points, but closed the game by outscoring Minnesota 25-18 in the final 11 minutes.

Florida overwhelmed Minnesota (21-13) early behind the hot hands of Rosario and Murphy. After an Austin Hollins 3-pointer tied the score at 10 early, the Gators responded with a 27-5 run, going ahead 37-15 on a Rosario 3-pointer.

Andre Hollins cut UF's lead to 39-25 on a driving layup, but the Gators finished the half with a strong 9-2 run. Back-to-back steals by Will Yeguete and Wilbekin led to four straight points. Yeguete then found Murphy for a wide-open shot in the corner to put Florida ahead 46-25. Then, Wilbekin got another steal and found Casey Prather for an alley-oop dunk to put the Gators up 48-25.

Florida went into halftime ahead 48-27, shooting 65.2 percent from the field in the first half and 50 percent (7-14) from 3-point range. Rosario and Murphy went a combined 10 of 14 from the field in the first half, with Rosario scoring 17 of his points and Murphy scoring 15 points.

The Gators also answered the physical challenge, outrebounding Minnesota 16-8 in the first half. Minnesota senior center Trevor Mbakwe, the Big Ten's leading rebounder at 8.8 per game, played just nine first-half minutes after picking up two fouls.

<p>AUSTIN, Texas — Another season. Another Sweet 16 for the Florida Gators.</p><p>Behind a season-high 25 points from senior guard Mike Rosario, third-seeded Florida knocked off 11th-seed Minnesota 78-64 Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season.</p><p>It's the first time in school history Florida (28-7) has reached the round of 16 three straight years. Florida next plays Friday in Arlington, Texas, against Florida Gulf Coast who defeated San Diego State 81-71. The Eagles became the first No. 15 seed in NCAA history to reach the regional semifinals</p><p>Erik Murphy added 15 points and Scottie Wilbekin had 12 points and six assists. Florida let a 21-point halftime lead whittle down to seven points, but closed the game by outscoring Minnesota 25-18 in the final 11 minutes.</p><p>Florida overwhelmed Minnesota (21-13) early behind the hot hands of Rosario and Murphy. After an Austin Hollins 3-pointer tied the score at 10 early, the Gators responded with a 27-5 run, going ahead 37-15 on a Rosario 3-pointer.</p><p>Andre Hollins cut UF's lead to 39-25 on a driving layup, but the Gators finished the half with a strong 9-2 run. Back-to-back steals by Will Yeguete and Wilbekin led to four straight points. Yeguete then found Murphy for a wide-open shot in the corner to put Florida ahead 46-25. Then, Wilbekin got another steal and found Casey Prather for an alley-oop dunk to put the Gators up 48-25.</p><p>Florida went into halftime ahead 48-27, shooting 65.2 percent from the field in the first half and 50 percent (7-14) from 3-point range. Rosario and Murphy went a combined 10 of 14 from the field in the first half, with Rosario scoring 17 of his points and Murphy scoring 15 points.</p><p>The Gators also answered the physical challenge, outrebounding Minnesota 16-8 in the first half. Minnesota senior center Trevor Mbakwe, the Big Ten's leading rebounder at 8.8 per game, played just nine first-half minutes after picking up two fouls.</p>